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PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION ASKING FOR OUR COLLEAGUE NGOR GARANG TO BE RELEASED AND PASS THE LINK ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/release_ngor_garang/
By Toby Collins
November 7, 2011 (LONDON) – The South Sudan journalist detained since 21 October and released on 2 November has described his ordeal, while two other journalists remain in custody.
James Okuk was accused during his detention of writing inflammatory articles in association with the opposition party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Democratic Change (SPLM-DC).
Okuk, who also works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, cites the country’s interim constitution which states ’no civil servant shall be favored or victimized because of his or her political opinion.’
The leader of the opposition, Onyoti Adigo, told the Daily Destiny newspaper that three officials, including James Okuk, allied with the SPLM-DC were arrested at gunpoint.
In an article published by the South Sudan News Agency Okuk wrote ’South Sudan Paradox: Joyful Independence, Sorry Leadership,’ which was published by news agencies including Sudan Tribune, was one of the causes of his detention.
Okuk described a detention in which he was denied basic human rights. “Neither food nor water was provided by those who arrested me. I slept on a bare dirty ground without a cover. Rain beat me inside the cell at one of nights so badly. Going to outside toilet (though it was very dirty) at night was not allowed. The prisoner has to release himself inside the cell.”
Okuk says that under the terms of his bail he has to remain in Juba, the South Sudan capital.
An article documenting Okuk’s arrest was written by the Sudan Tribune journalist, Ngor Garang, who has been detained by South Sudanese security service since Wednesday for publishing an article criticising Salva Kiir in the Daily Destiny newspaper, the President of South Sudan.
Ngor’s colleague at the newspaper, Gengdit Ayok, who is also the Destiny’s is also believed to be in custody. It was Ayok’s opinion article, saying that Kiir should not have allowed his daughter to marry someone from outside South Sudan, that is believe to have caused their arrest.
(ST)
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION ASKING FOR OUR COLLEAGUE NGOR GARANG TO BE RELEASED AND PASS THE LINK ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS.
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